Thomas And Wyatt Recalled For Twickenham,

20 March 2002 14:03

By

Captain Scott Quinnell will become only the 12th player to win 50 caps for Wales when he leads Wales against England in the Lloyds TSB Six Nations Championship match at Twickenham on Saturday (kick-off 2.30 pm)
The Llanelli captain and No 8, who will be skippering his country for the seventh time, will join Neil Jenkins, Ieuan Evans, Gareth Llewellyn, Garin Jenkins, Gareth Thomas, Rob Howley, JPR Williams, Robert Jones, Gareth Edwards, Scott Gibbs and David Young in the elite '50 club'.
"One of my ambitions was to reach 50 caps for my country," said 29-year-old Quinnell.
"It is an exclusive club with some great players and it is something I want to do."
Wales Coach Steve Hansen has made two changes from the side who beat Italy 44-20 at the Millennium Stadium 18 days ago.
Gareth Thomas is recalled to play in the centre, the Bridgend captain winning his 57th cap as he forms a new midfield partnership with Newport Rugby's Andy Marinos. Thomas comes in for Tom Shanklin.
And in the pack, Llanelli lock Chris Wyatt returns ahead of Ian Gough. Wyatt came on as a replacement against Italy having been injured early on in the opening match of the championship against Ireland in Dublin.
Quinnell, Thomas, Wyatt and scrum half Rob Howley are the only survivors from the starting line-up at Twickenham two years ago.
"After going so close against France, the victory over Italy gave us renewed confidence," said coach Hansen.
"However, England will be smarting from their defeat by France in Paris and we know we face a tough test at Twickenham on Saturday."
With slight injury worries hanging over both Gough and Cardiff utility back Rhys Williams, Hansen has put Gareth Llewellyn and Tom Shanklin on stand-by.
WALES (v England)
Kevin Morgan (Swansea); Dafydd James (Bridgend), Gareth Thomas (Bridgend), Andy Marinos (Newport Rugby), Craig Morgan (Cardiff); Stephen Jones (Llanelli), Rob Howley (Cardiff); Iestyn Thomas (Ebbw Vale), Robin McBryde (Llanelli), Chris Anthony (Newport Rugby), Andy Moore (Swansea), Chris Wyatt (Llanelli), Nathan Budgett (Bridgend), Martyn Williams (Cardiff), Scott Quinnell (Llanelli, captain)
Replacements: Barry Williams (Neath), Spencer John (Cardiff), Ian Gough (Newport Rugby)/Gareth Llewellyn (Neath), Colin Charvis (Swansea), Dwayne Peel (Llanelli), Iestyn Harris (Cardiff), Rhys Williams (Cardiff)/Tom Shanklin (Saracens)

Wales reached their first semi-final since 2013 in the opening round of this season's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series in Dubai. WRU TV's Graeme Gillespie recaps on what proved to be an eventful tournament

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

Beating Merthyr has boosted Carmarthen Quins hopes of reaching a top eight spot in the Principality Premiership. Quins captain Haydn Pugh is delighted with his team's progress and is determined that everyone from the Under 6s through to the senior team, enjoys the ride.

When the Wales squad were asked to nominate individuals who played a big part in their early playing days, Wales and Dragons full back and wing Hallam Amos thought of his former Monmouth School rugby coach John Bevan.

Sam Cross and Luke Treharne have been named as co-captains of the Wales Sevens side as head coach Gareth Williams names his 12-man squad to play in the first leg of the HSBC World Series in Dubai next weekend.

Bedwas head coach Steve Law and players Nicky Griffiths and Alun Rees extol the virtues of the close knit club as they prepare to host third place RGC 1404 - who are one place head of them on the Principality Premiership points table - on Saturday.

Many of the Wales squad have said Diolch (thank you) to someone who played an important part in their early playing days by nominating them to be invited to the Wales v South Africa match. One person, Gowerton Comprehensive geography teacher Mr Dean Mason was nominated by two of his former pupils, Dan Biggar and Sam Davies.

The second WRU disability rugby pilot has been delivered, this time in Caerphilly schools, culminating in a festival at the Caerphilly Centre of Sporting Excellence, Ystrad Mynach tomorrow. Plans are in place to set up a Disability Rugby Club in Newbridge to provide long-term playing opportunities.

WRU TV: Hear from inside the Wales camp as Neil Jenkins discusses this weekend's clash with South Africa and how the squad are looking to put in a strong performance to round of the 2016 Under Armour Series